Violaceous Jay
Cyanocorax violaceus
Large, dark jay with vibrant blue plumage and a black head and bib. Frequents a variety of open habitats, including forest edges, gardens, and agricultural areas. Often particularly common in vegetation along rivers and other waterways. Distinguished from similar Purplish Jay by its brighter blue plumage and contrasting pale nape. Also listen for a high-pitched, piercing “jeer.”
Identification
This is a medium-large jay with dull violet-blue plumage and a striking dark face and throat. The purplish jay (with which it overlaps in southeastern Peru and in northern Bolivia) is duller (more purplish or brownish blue, less violaceous blue) and the nape is not paler than the back. In eastern Colombia and southern Venezuela, the azure-naped jay is distinguished by its pale iris, white undertail coverts and tip to the tail, paler nape, and short frontal crest. The violaceous jay is 33–38 cm (13–15 in) long and weighs 262 grams (9.2 ounces).)
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cyanocorax violaceus
- Authority
- Du Bus de Gisignies, 1847
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Cyanocorax
Range and habitat
The range of the violaceous jay is the southwest and northwest Amazon Basin, from northern Bolivia, through Amazonian eastern Peru and Ecuador, Amazonian Colombia, and the Orinoco River Basin and beyond into northern Venezuela. The range is east of the Andes cordillera, except in the north in Colombia and Venezuela. In southwest Guyana, (the southwest Guiana Shield), the range borders Roraima state, Brazil and the Amazon River, (Rio Negro), tributary, the south-flowing Branco River of central Roraima.<p>In Brazil's western Amazon Basin, the violaceous jay is found in Roraima, Amazonas, and Acre state, the west of North Region, Brazil.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The violaceous jay is omnivorous, mainly consuming fruits, insects, and bird and reptile eggs. It is also known to take small lizards as well.<p>Little is known in any detail about the violaceous jay's life history. Violaceous jays in Venezuela forage chiefly in the middle and upper canopy (above 18 meters) in a mature tropical evergreen rainforest. They take food items by hopping along limbs and gleaning for prey. It forages in flocks in forest canopy, and rarely lingers in one spot for long. These flocks often are noisy, but like other jays, the violaceous jay can be quiet and inconspicuous at times. They are known to frequently mob potential predators.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila
Round-headed diving duck. Males have black breast, medium gray back, white sides, and yellow eye. Head appears black with a greenish sheen in good lighting, never purplish. Females are brown overall, grayer on body in winter, with white patch at base of bill and yellow eye. Very similar to Lesser Scaup; note smoothly rounded head without tall peak, puffier cheeks, more extensive white stripe on wing in flight, and larger, broader bill. Can be similar to immature male and female Tufted Duck, but note smoothly rounded head and more extensive white bill base patch in females. Often in flocks with other Aythya ducks. Tends to prefer saltwater bays and coves, but also found in freshwater.
Eurasian Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Uncommon to fairly common, but unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Favors mixed woodland and edge, parks, gardens, orchards; also farmland with hedges and wooded patches. Usually found in pairs or small groups, feeding quietly and sluggishly on buds and fruits; does not usually visit feeders. Male handsome and distinctive, with black cap, bright pink cheeks and breast, blue-gray back; female colors muted, but note distinctive black cap, stubby black bill. White rump patch shows mainly in flight. Soft, plaintive whistled notes may draw attention.
Donaldson Smith's Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser donaldsoni
A large and distinctively marked weaver. There is a dark cap above a pale cheek and throat that are separated by a black moustache stripe. The bright white rump is distinctive in flight. Found locally in dry thorn savanna and thorn scrub. Somewhat similar to White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, but easily separated by the different head pattern and the streaked rather than pure white underparts. The song is a rapid jumble of whistles and scratchy notes.
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